For many years now, I have begun each year with a word or a series of words to take with me over the course of the next 365 days. For me, my words for 2022 came to me long before 2021 was even close to being over. I wanted to take a moment and share what God has laid on my heart with you.
My first word for 2022 is JOY. This is not a word I picked personally, but instead, it was given to me by God in a way that was hard to overlook. You see, it was first mentioned back in November when a mentor of mine prayed that I would have JOY despite the darkness I was surrounded with, that I would be able to feel joyous amidst the pain. It wasn’t long after that where I had two other encounters where the word JOY was directed at me. Then at Christmas, I received not one but two beautiful Christmas ornaments that both had JOY printed on them. None of these women had collaborated to inundate me with the word, and it was unbeknown to them that anyone else had spoken this word over me. I love how God works like that.
Let joy be your continual feast. Make your life a prayer. And in the midst of everything, be always giving thanks, for this is God’s perfect plan for you in Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18(TPT)
My fellow believers, when it seems as though you are facing nothing but difficulties, see it as an invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest joy that you can! James 1:2(TPT).
My second word is ABUNDANCE. The dictionary defines the word abundance as; an extremely plentiful or over-sufficient quantity or supply: overflowing fullness. I have never doubted, not once, that God would take care of my family or me through any circumstance. My faith is strong in that regard, but I felt like in this season, God has been showing me that He not only wants to care for me on a basic level, but He wants to do it in ABUNDANCE. Over and above! In December, I began ending my email and letter correspondences with “Praying God’s ABUNDANT blessings to you in 2022”. I could have left the word abundant out, and the sentence would still be meaningful and true. But you see, I believe that God is the God of extremely plentiful, over-sufficient supply, overflowing fullness. And I desperately want that for my life and yours as well—extremely, plentiful amounts of peace. Over- sufficient supply of grace and mercy. Overflowing fullness for our daily needs.
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. 2 Peter 1:2(NIV).
A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! John 10:10(TPT).
So as the weeks of 2022 play out, however, they may look. No matter how dark, scary, painful, or hard it may be, I, for one, am going to focus on the invaluable opportunity to experience the greatest JOY I can. Knowing that God has come to give me everything in ABUNDANCE, so much that I overflow.
